The Investigators, Inc. The Missing Jewels Case. Chapter 8. Hop, Skip, Jump.

Bradley managed to outsmart the Black Wolves with their plan X to get him back to location M. We knew he was heading to this hidden location because we had a no fail listening device planted in their office at Intimate Jewels. I was trying to think how we might best follow him without being noticed. That’s when Steffie came along for another visit and told me about her mom being very good at playing hop, skip and jump. I looked at her. I knew the game but didn’t see how that would help us right now. Steffie then explained the game she was referring to, then it made sense.

Steffie giggled, so I tickled her and she laughed and laughed. I then asked Sky to allow Friskie to call her like I do, just in case she runs into trouble. Kat told me that Friskie has full use of her abilities now, but I still worry about her. After all, if she finds herself in a tight spot she might forget how to do something. Anyway, I asked Sky and she just frowned at me reminding me that she doesn’t like to do this very often. But I pleaded with her and she sighed. It ended up costing me though, so I sighed.

Friskie became our invisible listening device and then communicating what she heard to us, well, to Sky and Kat anyway. Then Friskie went with Bradley every step of the way, one of the benefits of being a ghost. Once at the location she sent the information to Kat and Kat called Aari. Kat, with her Wildcats, and Sky with her remaining Bad Girls, went to join Friskie who was just standing on the street right then, though still invisible. It was a rather large house, three stories tall, surrounded by a 6 foot tall steel barred fence with sharp points on top.

It had a matching gate and there was a circular driveway and a very nicely maintained yard and sculptured shrubs. Friskie then jumped over the fence and went around to the back of the house. It was equally well maintained, there was a large patio area and a very large swimming pool. The back of the house was almost completely glass on the main floor and the second floor. There was a deck on the second floor which ran the full length of the house. She looked inside and saw several handsome, muscular men sitting around drinking and laughing.

She also saw several security guards. Then she spotted Bradley coming downstairs and joining the men. She then jumped up onto the deck and looked through the glass wall. Inside was a very large room with a lot of camera equipment. Friskie understood what that was for and she wanted to go in there and destroy it all. However, the sliding doors were locked and she can’t walk through walls, so she had to wait. She could see several doors on the opposite wall, possibly where some girls are being kept.

Bradley probably lives on the top floor. She then looked around outside and found all of the security cameras so Sky could disconnect them easily. She then looked at her hands and did the same as Sky, but not even a tiny spark showed up. She sighed. Back at home. Misty was about to walk into the library, but something caught her eye. There was a plate of fresh donuts on the kitchen table and no one was in there. She couldn’t believe it, so in she went, then she looked back to make sure no one was following her, then she quickly grabbed the plate of donuts.

At least that was the plan, but the plate of donuts was gone! How could that happen? Misty was right there at the door. Aha, she thought, someone is hiding in the kitchen and she would find that person. She looked under the table, but as she was bending down a little streak of energy sped out of the kitchen. Finally Misty gave up looking and figured that Jennifer or Kristina came in while invisible and took the donuts. Misty didn’t think that was fair, but what could she do?

So, she shuffled her way over to visit me, without donuts. She did bring some fresh coffee though. She peeked in the door, “AHA!!” she exclaimed as she came in. She then slammed the door. “Oops, didn’t mean to do that,” she said, “I’m sorry.” “Now you have attracted attention,” I said, “and Samantha will come to check.” She sighed very loudly. “At least now I know why the donuts disappeared,” she said, “I was hoping to bring some to you, but little sneaker beat me to them.” Steffie giggled and Misty tickled her causing her to laugh loud.

“What are you trying to do?” I asked, “That’s more noise, we don’t have a chance now.” Then I donut disappeared from the plate. “Mmm, fresh donuts,” said Jennifer giggling. “AAAAAA!!” exclaimed Misty. “Oh, did I startle you Misty?” asked Jennifer. “No, I just thought it would be nice to scream,” said Misty calmly. Steffie came out from under the blanket again. “You scare me with your loud scream,” she said. Suddenly I started to breathe heavily and Jennifer told Misty to take Steffie to play with the cats.

Misty grabbed Steffie and off they went quickly. Samantha came running in next, she had met Misty and Steffie. Misty just pointed to my room and said “fast”. Samantha and Jennifer took me to the examination room and Bridgette joined them. Jennifer then called Lily and Cosette to come on duty at the clinic. They are both nurses and need to be here to look after the wounded girls now that Samantha and Bridgette are working on me. While Misty and Steffie walked past the library Steffie began asking questions.

“Why was Uncle Steve breathing funny Auntie Misty?” she asked, “Why he was changing colors?” “Shh, not now Steffie,” she replied, “let’s go play with the cats together.” Everyone in the library heard Steffie and they were now worried. That news travelled quickly to everyone at the chateau and Tracy called Dawn to let her know. Dawn then called Sky, so she and Kat, with their girls, pulled over and Kat communicated with Jennifer.

By that time I was breathing normally and everything seemed fine again. Samantha thought it could be a delayed reaction from that odd gun that was used on me and Abigail. Kat had already healed Abigail’s burns, so she won’t have any problems from that, which is good. Anyway, Sky and Kat continued with their journey with trusty Fluffy guiding them through the streets. Soon they were close by, so they pulled over and parked along the street, just far enough away that they wouldn’t be noticed.

To Be Continued. ©2026 Steve McLeod.